Playoffs Practice Report: Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies Projects to Be Scratched As Game 1 Lineup Takes Shape
Toronto Maple Leafs rookie forward Matthew Knies was on the outside looking in during the team’s first full practice on Sunday.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies will likely be watching from up in the press box when the club opens the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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In his first practice with the team since signing with the club last week, Knies was wearing a gray extras sweater and didn't factor into any of the team's lines during the one-hour practice session.
"I'll just be anywhere they need me, honestly," Knies said after practice. "I'm here to help the team and just try to contribute as much as I can."
Toronto's second-round selection (57rd overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft, Knies signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Leafs last week. The signing occurred just one day after his University of Minnesota Golden Gophers lost in the NCAA Frozen Four championship. Knies recorded one assist in the team's final three games of the regular season but has yet to be home in Toronto.
"He wasn't in our regular line rotations today and it's the challenge of getting him experience and trying to keep him involved, but also to make sure your players are getting reps as well," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Knies. "He hasn't even seen the ice at Scotiabank Arena let alone skate on it."
It was notable that while other extras like Wayne Simmonds and defenseman Conor Timmins were moved over to a different ice pad to help out with goalies, Knies stayed on the main one. The Maple Leafs have been happy with his play in three games and Knies could get into the series if injuries or performance dictates a change. But for now, Knies is on the outside looking in.
"With the talent that he's shown, he's a guy that can help us and it's another great option for us to have," Keefe said.
Ryan O'Reilly stays on first power-play unit. William Nylander on PP2
The Toronto Maple Leafs will go with a relatively new power-play look based on practice on Sunday.
The Maple Leafs experimented with Ryan O'Reilly on the first power play in place of William Nylander dating back to Toronto's April 8 against the Montreal Canadiens. In that contest, Toronto scored four power-play goals in a 7-1 win against Montreal, but Erik Gustafsson was running point.
Nylander was on the outside on the second power play.
"We have a huge sample of multiple years with Willy into that group that we can go back to that at any time," Keefe said. "I do think O'Reilly has brought a lot to the group in a short time. That power play has done well and it has some new life into it and I think Willy has played better since we made that switch, too."
Nylander set career highs in goals (40), assists (47), and points (87) this season. He has 28 power-play points.
Schenn makes the cut
Luke Schenn appears to have locked up one of the final spots available on defense that were up for grabs as Toronto began to narrow down their roster.
Acquired from the Vancouver Canucks on Feb. 28 in exchange for the third-round draft pick in 2023, Schenn impressed with a goal and was a physical presence against the Tampa Bay Lighting in Toronto's penultimate game of the regular season.'
At the end of practice, Schenn and Keefe were engaged in a very lengthy conversation and it seemed to be very hockey-specific.
Should the game open up where more offense is needed, that might be where Schenn comes out. But in games against Tampa and the Boston Bruins, the second-time Maple Leafs' defenseman has come as advertised in the tighter and more physical games.
Lafferty and Gustafsson return
Sam Lafferty and Erik Gustafsson were back at practice on Sunday. Sam flew in from Arizona yesterday after becoming a new dad to baby Hudson.
The timing worked out well for Lafferty who was back with his club before the playoffs began but also has enough time to recover from an undisclosed injury that kept him out of Monday's game against the Florida Panthers.
"I'm feeling good and ready to go."
Gustafsson returned to the ice on Saturday when the Leafs were doing a skills session and recovering from an upper-body injury. The defenseman was expected to be in the lineup on Monday when something "tightened up" during warmups, according to Keefe.
The 30-year-old skated as an extra alongside defenseman Timothy Liljegren. In nine games with the Leafs, Gustafsson has four assists in nine games.
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